Rorancian Aristocracy

Ah... Rorance. Where would we be without are arcana, aristocracy and our ancient traditions.

The Rorancian Aristocracy is as eccentric as it is old. Having been established longer than most other factions have history. They preside over the largest and most influential faction within the Coalition. The vast territory Rorance occupies is divided into twelve separate kingdoms. Each kingdom is run by a ruling Imperial Family. The supreme leaders are commonly referred to as a King or Queen/ Emperor or Empress. The Imperial Family are often large and each are involved in the day to day management of their kingdom. Rulership is based on lineage to the epic hero Magelord Ato the first ruler in Mesjran history. With the understanding of genetics the Aristocracy keeps inbreeding out completely. They diversify by marrying those outside the blood line. Usually these are powerful Mages so as to strengthen the family's Magecrest but there have been times when they have married those of common birth.
Kings and Queens are often brother and sister that co-rule. Their spouses, who are usually other royal families or outside the bloodline, are known as vicekings or vicequeens (sometimes simply referred to as a Vicelord). Any children the ruling family has are commonly called prince and princess. When they come of age they become heir apparent or King/Queen in waiting. All other nobility is based upon one's relationship to the ruling family. Brothers and Sisters to the King and Queen are known as Dukes and Duchess. Cousins to the royal family are known as Count and Countesses and second cousins are Barons and Baronesses. Two major honorifics are added to titles to signify place to the ruling family. Arch signifies that they are apart of the current ruling family and Grand signifies that they are apart of the previous ruling family.
Whether in power or not, whether apart of a ruling family or not all those who can claim lineage to Magelord Ato hold influence and some form of power. Those who cannot claim any of these titles but have a registered lineage are known as Lords and Ladies. Not everything within the aristocracy is based upon relationship to the ruling family. There are many Lords and Ladies who hold very powerful positions based on their influence. For these that must fight for their station it is the ever changing and dangerous game of politics. One of the things the Lords and Ladies usually understand more than the higher up ranks is that the favor of the people is its own form of powerful currency.

I have created a simple guide for you to learn. The High Court may be eccentric but they do demand their etiquette. The first rule is to always know when and where to use the honorifics like Arch and Grand. There are places they are strictly used and other places that they are all but forbidden. Again if you are really going to try and navigate through this cluster then I advise getting a royal Herald to show you around. Seriously those guys are incredibly useful. They are more than glorified announcers. They get to be apart of the game without any penalty. That's why they can charge money for newbs like you to have to pay.

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King & Queen/Emperor & Empress: Your Majesty, or Imperial Majesty. Really anything with majesty in it or Majestic Keeper of Origins. They love that. Reminds them they are related to Blessed Mage Lord Ato. Just don't over do it.
Prince & Princess: For those who are heir apparent or "in waiting" call them Imperial Highness. For those who aren't Highness will do. They like to be flattered as much as any but not always. Look out for the ones who hate their station. Those are a very different breed and should be handled with caution because you'll either piss them off and then make their parents love you or vice versa. Those are a no win.
Duke & Duchess: A simple Highness will do. You don't want to remind this group that they lost out to the throne by some weird technicality or by some backroom favor. If you are trying to get to the King or Queen you need to study your current political sphere like crazy. When I say current I mean the last ten years... at least and by crazy I mean pretend that your head being chopped off is at stake. It really isn't but there are worse things that having your head chopped off. Trust me, I know but don't ask.
Count & Countess: Cousins. Ah Cousins. Nothing like forbidden fruit am I right? Anyways... always address them as your Grace. Like all the others know your goal and your current history. I won't keep beating this dead dragoon but if you die or get throne into some dungeon or something I'll find you and tell you I told you so. What are business partners for.
Baron & Baroness: Same as Count and Countess. Your Grace.
Lord & Lady: These are the most challenging. They are like some kind of chaotic neutral force. I know those two don't seem like they go together but after you survive this we'll share a drink discussing this paradox. Simply address them as your Lordship or your ladyship. Seriously. These people. I've lost my fair share of deals because I don't know ladyship twinkletoes had just stepped on a Duke's feet or that lordship foot-in-mouth accidentally misaddressed another noble. Amateurs.
Chevalier: Always address them as your honor, sir or madam. They tend to not be uptight about their titles. Though don't disparage their honor in any way. Seriously these are elite military soldiers. They regard their honor like we do our business. Get them to talk about their exploits. They love that. Pretend to be interested. Unless it is interesting. Then listen. Impress the right one and you can find yourself doing shots with their Imperial Majesties while talking business.

Final thoughts. When in doubt leave and find a herald. Then return (with the herald). Or get a herald before. That's the smart way. You could always play the bumbling newb. Sometimes that works out. Don't count on it. Just remember these are people of power and affluence. They are bred to be powerful Mages and raised to be incredibly insightful. They may act like idiots, some aren't acting, but others are like hawks waiting to tear those who don't belong to pieces.
Have fun and try not to get imprisoned or accidentally drink someone else's poison.
-Your better half Valluce

The Aristocracy creates and establishes the laws, maintain the military, and titling the Ennoblement. Outside of monetary funding, one way of maintaining the military is for the Aristocracy to employ their sons and daughters to become Chevaliers. These deadly military commanders seek to bring honor and prestige to their family. These Chevaliers are the first to be drafted by the ruling family. Chevaliers are often promoted to royal guards and gain the honorific Arch. These Chevaliers are often considered to be apart of the ruling family. It is the dream of every Lord and Lady that has a child in the military that becomes an Arch-Chevalier.

Things weren't always so harmonious. Before the Ennoblement. Before becoming civilized the Aristocracy was known for its gluttony and greed. Over time, like most things, they evolved. They realized they needed the "common" people of the Kingdoms to rule. Like they would ever operate a mining machine. Could you imagine that? Anyways, it only took several dozen rebellions and a handful of family executions. Progress comes with its own price, I guess. Now days we have Outreaches competing to vie for our favor. Some kingdoms are so progressive that they put the next ruling family to a vote. Election there are wild. Like a kingdom wide party where the high ups try to constantly get you more drunk than the other. Its an epic pissing contest like no other. I'd Like to see those damned Dominion House try that.

The Aristocracy employs a number of ways to ensure that the populace allows them to stay in power. One way is through the Ennoblement. Those are people of common birth, outside the lineages of the aristocracy, that are put into positions of power. They are considered to be a buffer between the Aristocracy and the common folk. Over the years the Ennoblement turned from a frustration to another political game for the Aristocracy. A way of not only gaining prestige for finding such worthy individuals but also a way to incur the favor of the people.
It wasn't uncommon for the Aristocracy to do things that made the lives of their people better but it wasn't common either. It was until a woman now known as the Saint of Virshae who founded the tradition of outreach. Like most things the Aristocracy finds to occupy itself outside its rulership duties it turned outreach into a competitive way to gain influence and power. This time it became public favor. Aristocrats will often take rivals through cities where their influence is so tangable that it manifests in the people knowing who they are and calling to their benefactor with cheers and greetings of good fortune. Though some use this only as a means to an end the common people only shrug as they accept their gifts with thanksgiving. This has made modern Aristocrats more akin to socialites than what they had been in past ages.
The Aristocracy oversees the governing of territories, solar systems, planets and cities. They are responsible for maintaining and working with the ennoblement to ensure that the Rorance Kingdoms prospers and is secure. Typically only the ruling family will oversee large territories but it has been known for a Lord or lady who has gained favor to be appointed. Even factions have be appointed. During changes in ruling family it is not uncommon for some, if not all, government officials to be changed. Though this is often done incrementally now as markets and populations can't handle the stress of massive shifts in power.
Process of Power

Structure

The Aristocracy is commonly called the Royals. The Royals operate as the local and territorial policy shapers of the Twelve Kingdoms. Officially under, but unofficially surrounding them, are the various factions within the Kingdom. The Ennoblement (or commonly the nobility) is directly under the Royals. They are the servants of the people. These two are intricately intertwined.
Outside the Royals and nobility are the factions of the Academia, the Guilds, Outliers and Military. These factions may not hold any official power but they have power non the less. They are often the intangible forces that pull the strings to push policy in one direction or another. Royals work in concert with these factions, often getting allegiance to the one that supports their view.
The Academia is the home of all trained mages. They house all the scholars, philosophers, theologians, researchers and scientists. Classically divided between theoretical and practical disciplines and studies. Having been around in one form or another since Ancient Mesjra. Their knowledge and expertise have established arcana as practical and easily intertwined with modern technology. They are responsible for general public education as well as controlling the colleges that produce the next generation of educated specialists. They work directly with the Mage's Guild to keep their alchemical and arcane rituals and formulas protected by patents.
The Guilds make up the backbone of the economic infrastructure. They organize and safeguard all the various galactic currency exchange and stock markets within the Rorance Borders. They work hard to compete with the Khaldeejan Consortium to the Kingdoms' east. They oversee all the ebbs and flows of business on all levels. Some of their most notable guilds are the Hunter's Guild, the Proprietor's Guild, the Exchange Guild, and the Trade Guilds.
The Military is primarily made up of those from common descent. The military is funded by the Royals but has been recently placed under civilian control. They are responsible for all exterior threats. All border security and intelligence agencies fall under their control. The work closely with the Hunter's and the Shadow Guild.
The Outliers are like Lords and Ladies, having no actual power or authority. Unlike Lords and Ladies they have no registered lineage to establish them within the Royalty. Outliers are individuals or families that are so powerful that they have a direct impact in the development and management of the kingdoms. Those families that are Outlier by being powerful mages are referred to as Old Families.

Public Agenda

The preservation of the Rorancian traditions and its peoples as well as the progression of their civilization. As Rorance is divided into twelve major kingdoms each kingdom has its own agendas. See specific Kingdoms to learn about them.

Assets

Better to fight a Chevalier to the death than to fight a mage.
-Unknown

The Aristocracy as spend the last several millennia strengthening their family arcane crests and expanding their various arcana abilities through marriage. Each member of the Royalty are powerful mages in their own right. Within their ranks those that are trained by the Universitus (Rorancian Academia) are incredible as well as versatile in their arcane abilities. The Aristocracy has has reserved some of Rorances most powerful Catalysts to be used by their discretion. Allowing those in their service to walk through and prove themselves worthy of service. The Royals also have use of the Sigil Corps.


One of the unique things about the Rorance Kingdoms
Rorance enjoys access to many thousands of Catalysts. These Catalysts range from the bodies of dead aspects to ancient and powerful artifices. Each have the ability to give those who endure pilgrimage through them arcane powers. There is always a chance of death. The more powerful the great the chance of death.
Due to this Rorance has always enjoyed powerful artifices and reagents. Those that would want a arcane

History

WIP
Rise of the Queen of Lions Reign of Mad Mage of War of the Lion's Crown Founding of the 12 Kingdoms


The Phoenix uprising Establishment of the Ennoblement

Foreign Relations

Rorance has had long standing relations with the Rhinavren Council and the Khaldeejan Consortium. Though in recent years relations have been strained with the Consortium due to their close relation with the The Harshan Dominion due to the
. They have the advantage of anyone wanting to strength their people's magical corps have to do some sort of business with them. That being said their support of the Rhinavren Councilate has led to tense relations with the The Harshan Dominion. They were the first ones hit during the Kreshar invasion.

Divine Origins

The Imperial Cult developed during the post-war

One to rule them all (in reference to the Magelord Ato)

Founding Date

5430

Type

Geopolitical, Magocracy

Capital

Magato

Training Level

Elite

Veterancy Level

Veteran

Demonym

Rorancian

Government System

Magocracy

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

Any of the various approved digital credit systems as well as Reagents.

Legislative Body

The Peacekeepers and Lawbringers within the Legislative Branch of the The Ennoblement.

Judicial Body

Justicars The Ennoblement within the Judiciary Branch.

Official Languages

• Unified Basic

Neighboring Nations

• Khaldeejan Consortium
• Rhinavren Councilette

Related Ethnicities

• Mesjran Ethnicity